Garment spreader

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer. The apparatus comprises a flexible material secured to the garment so as to provide forces of tension in opposition to the garment. Thus, the garment is secured in position on the wearer. The garment spreader may be of any semi-rigid material such as plastic, cardboard and felt. The garment spreader may be removably or integrally secured to the garment. Methods of use are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Appn. Ser. No. 60/682,586, filed May 18, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This document concerns an invention relating generally to an apparatus for clothing for the human body, and particularly to an apparatus for securing garments such as swimming suits, leotards and undergarments in the proper position on a wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dancers, gymnasts, swimmers, housewives and business women are confronted with a common problem: how to keep their leotard, swimsuit and undergarments in the proper position. This stability is critical to the wearer's sense of security and modesty. There have been many attempts at providing devices that keep such garments in the proper position. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,657 discloses a bikini bottom section devoid of supporting strings or ribbons. The rear panel is supported by a hip-grasping arc of plastic, and the front panel is affixed by an adhesive strip. U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,482 provides a pubic-covering panel suspended on a wire frame. A linear extension of the frame arcs upwards into the buttocks cleavage of the wearer. It is held in place by spring tension.

However, each of these and other devices have common disadvantages. For instance, garments using adhesives, springs and cords are often uncomfortable and unattractive. Further, such devices often do not securely position the garment to the wearer, requiring constant attention from the wearer to keep the garment in place. As modern garments are increasingly revealing, this is a problem for everyone from high school cheerleaders to Olympic swimmers.

Therefore, a need exists for a simple yet comfortable apparatus that maintains the proper position of garments such as leotards, swimsuits and women's undergarments on the wearer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer. The apparatus comprises a flexible yet semi-rigid material secured to the garment so as to provide forces of tension in opposition to the garment. Thus, the garment is secured in position on the wearer.

The garment spreader is preferably made of materials selected from semi-rigid plastic, cardboard, metal and felt. The garment spreader is intended for use with garments including swimsuits, leotards, cheerleading uniforms, undergarments and thongs.

The garment spreader may be an integral part of the garment, i.e., fixedly secured to the garment itself, or the garment spreader may be removably secured to the garment.

In a second embodiment, the present invention also provides a method of using an apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer. The method comprises choosing a material flexible yet sturdy enough to provide a sufficient degree of forces of tension; securing the flexible material to a garment, and placing the garment on a wearer.

In alternate embodiments the present invention provides an apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer, wherein the apparatus comprises a rectangular cardboard member fixedly secured to a women's undergarment. In use, the apparatus provides opposing forces of tension to the undergarment so as to secure the garment in position when worn.

The apparatus may also comprise a rectangular semi-rigid plastic member having rounded edges fixedly secured to a women's undergarment such as a thong or crotch-less panty. In alternate versions the apparatus may comprise a triangular or polygonal semi-rigid plastic member having rounded edges fixedly secured to a women's undergarment such as a thong or crotch-less panty.

The invention described above solves the long-standing problem faced by women everywhere; how best to secure such garments as swimsuits, leotards, cheerleading uniforms, undergarments and thongs in position on the wearer in a comfortable and discreet manner. The garment spreader of the present invention is nearly invisible when worn by a user, and does not require any unsightly or, uncomfortable strings, adhesives, snaps and the like common in the prior art.

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the following description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the invention. However, these embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the claims at the end of this document for interpreting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front left perspective view of the garment spreader of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the garment spreader of FIG. 1 inserted into a garment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate version of the garment spreader;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate version of the garment spreader; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an alternate version of the garment spreader, albeit partially enclosed by an outer casing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an apparatus 10 for securing garments such as leotards, swimsuits and women's undergarments in the proper position on the wearer, thereby increasing the comfort and security of the garment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 for a depiction of an exemplary version of the invention, the garment spreader 10 comprises a single piece of a firm yet flexible, lightweight, and washable material, such as a medium to heavy grade, semi-rigid plastic. However, in alternate versions, the garment spreader 10 may be made from metal, cardboard or felt materials.

In a first version, the garment spreader 10 is a rectangular semi-rigid plastic strip with rounded edges. The garment spreader 10 is preferably small enough so as to be unnoticed by the wearer (not shown).

In alternate versions the garment spreader may be triangular, trapezoidal, or polygonal in shape. Further, in alternate versions the garment spreader 10 may comprise a rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal or polygonal outline (see FIGS. 3-4) having a hollow center. In this version, the garment spreader 10 is less intrusive to the wearer.

In use, the garment spreader 10 is preferably an integral part of the garment and is inserted directly in the lining of the garment. In this way, the wearer's skin does not come in direct contact with the garment spreader 10. The garment spreader 10 is preferably permanently secured to the garment at each corner of opposing sides of the garment. The garment spreader 10 provides tension to the garment 12, thereby keeping the garment 12 spread apart in the proper position on the wearer.

In alternate versions, the garment spreader 10 may be removable from the garment 12 for use with other garments. For instance, the garment spreader 10 may be reusable, allowing the garment spreader 10 to be used in multiple garments 12. However, in alternate versions, the garment spreader 10 may be disposable and discarded with the garment 12.

In this version, the garment spreader 10 may be substantially enclosed by a flexible outer casing 14 of lightweight material such as knit or cotton fabric and secured to the innermost layer of the garment (FIG. 5). In this version, the wearer 12 will come in direct contact with the garment spreader. However, the casing improves the durability of the garment spreader by preventing the garment spreader from fraying or losing its form. Further, the outer casing allows the garment spreader 10 to be used on multiple garments.

In alternate versions, the garment spreader 10 may be disposable and discarded with the garment 12.

The garment spreader 10 is intended for installation in the lining of a given garments. However, in alternate versions, the garment spreader 10 may be inserted into a pocket formed by folding the front lining of the garment (not shown).

The garment spreader 10 is preferably available in multiple sizes for wearers of all ages and sizes. The garment spreader 10 may be used on any garment that may ride or bunch out of the proper position. The garment spreader 10 may be used on such garments as dancers' leotards, gymnast uniforms, running uniforms (such as for sprinters), volleyball uniforms and swimsuits. However, the garment spreader 10 of the present invention may also be used on women's undergarments such as thong undergarments or crotch-less panties.

The garment spreader 10 is configured to a size necessary to maintain the shape of the garment. For example, the garment spreader 10 may be large enough to cover the entire lining/groin area of the garment 12.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and otherwise disclosed herein, alternative embodiments are also intended to be within the scope of the claims. Thus, the invention is not to be judged solely by the preferred embodiments. Rather, the claims, should be looked to in order to judge the full scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention provides an improved apparatus for maintaining the form and shape of a garment when worn by a user. 

1. An apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer, the apparatus comprising a flexible material secured to a garment, whereby the apparatus provides opposing forces of tension to the garment to secure the garment on a wearer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, metal and felt.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible material is substantially enclosed by a flexible outer casing of lightweight material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of swimsuits, leotards, uniforms, undergarments and thongs.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the garment spreader is one of square, rectangular, circular, oval, triangular and polygonal in shape.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the garment spreader comprises a square, rectangular, circular, oval, triangular or polygonal outline having a hollow center.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the garment spreader is fixedly secured to the garment.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the garment spreader is removably secured to the garment.
 9. A method of using an apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer, the method comprising choosing a semi-rigid material, securing the material to a garment, and placing the garment on a wearer.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the material is plastic.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the flexible material is cardboard.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of swimsuits, leotards, uniforms, undergarments and thongs.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the garment spreader is an integral part of the garment.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the garment spreader is removably secured to the garment.
 15. An apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer, the apparatus comprising a rectangular cardboard member fixedly secured to a women's undergarment, whereby the apparatus provides opposing forces of tension to the undergarment.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the undergarment is a thong underwear.
 17. An apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer, the apparatus comprising a rectangular semi-rigid plastic member having rounded edges fixedly secured to a women's undergarment, whereby the apparatus provides opposing forces of tension to the undergarment.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the undergarment is crotch-less panties.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the comprises a semi-rigid plastic member having a hollow center and rounded edges. 